SEND - GHANA is the oldest of the three affiliate national NGOs (i.e. SEND-Liberia and SEND Sierra Leone) establishedby the Social Enterprise Development of Foundation of West Africa ( SEND West Africa). SEND West Africa was founded in Ghana in August, 1998 to promote livelihood security, equality of women and men and accountable and transparent governance. The target groups of SEND’s programs are mostly women, youth and farmers in conflict prone , resource poor and difficult to reach communities in each country.

Job Summary

Consultancy to Conduct a Nutrition Assessment among Farm Families in 8 Districts in the Eastern Corridor of Northern Ghana

Terms of Reference

Background

•   The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) in partnership with SEND-Ghana and the Ghana Credit Unions Association (CUA) Ltd is implementing a five year Food Security Through Cooperatives In Northern Ghana (FOSTERING) project which is aimed at increasing sustainable, gender equitable food security for over 42,000 women and men in eight districts in the Eastern Corridor of Northern Ghana (East Gonja, Kpandai, Nanumba South, Nanumba North, Krachi-Nchumuru, Zabzugu, Tatale-Sangule and Chereponi).
•   The project integrates nutrition training as a key intervention strategy to promote food security. Farm families are trained in the cultivation and utilization of soya beans for food fortification to boost household consumption as a way of supporting families to improve the nutrition status of families particularly children under 5 and pregnant and lactating mothers. Training is also conducted for cooperative households on food safety and hygiene as well as de-worming for children under five. The project works closely with Ghana Health Services and Community Volunteer Health and Nutrition Agents (CHNAs) at the district level to deliver nutrition sensitive training and education and de-worming exercises in the target communities. The CHNAs are also supported to monitor the children and women in households to measure progress with regards to their nutrition status
•   The project also recognizes that dietary diversity is an important consideration for improving household nutrition especially for pregnant and lactating women and children. While most households in the Eastern Corridor rely on starchy foods including cassava and yams as well as cereals (maize and rice) in their diets, protein and other essential nutrients are lacking. Children, pregnant and lactating mothers need a balanced diet that consists of the right proportions of carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins for good mental and physical development. The current focus of the project addresses only the protein and energy needs of beneficiaries. There is however diverse food sources in the communities to ensure dietary diversity among farm families which have not been promoted or underutilized. These need to be identified and included in the training guide. It is for this reason that the FOSTERING Project seeks the services of a nutrition specialist to support identifying and inform the project on how to support farm families to diversify their dietary intake at the household level.

Goal and objectives of the Nutrition Assessment

•   The main goal of the assignment is to conduct a nutrition assessment on nutritional status and dietary intake among farm families, particularly children under 5, pregnant and lactating mothers and outline pragmatic recommendations. This would aid in the design of appropriate strategies to monitor and deliver nutrition education to farm families in all the 130 communities of the project’s target districts

Objectives of the Consultancy

There are four main objectives for this consultancy:

•   To assess the current consumption of various food (including soy beans) and food groups by farm families and their contribution to nutrient intake  among cooperative households
•   To assess the current nutritional status of children, pregnant and lactating mothers of farm families
•   To identify and recommend local foods that can be incorporated into household diets to improve  dietary diversity among farm families especially for children under five and pregnant and lactating women
•   To examine factors associated with dietary intake, including food security among farm families in the eastern corridor.
•   To recommend anthropometric measures for measuring nutritional status of farm families
•   To recommend best methodologies/strategies on how to deliver nutrition messages (education) to farm families

Scope of Assignment

The nutrition assessment would target members of family-based farmers ’cooperative households in 130 communities in 8 operational districts using appropriate samples. The assignment is expected to commence on 3rd July 2015. The will include field data collection and reporting. The consultant would lead in the assessment and would work closely with the Nutrition and Home Processing Officer of the FOSTERING Project. He/she will report to the project management team of the project during the period of the assessment.

Proposed Methodology

The consultant would develop the methodology for the assessment including questionnaires and other instruments, as well as a work-plan and time-table, which will be discussed and validated with the Project Management Team.

Key Tasks of the Assignment

The consultant’s responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following tasks:

•   Develop a proposal and work plan based on the TOR for  the assessment and submit to the project management team for review and approval
•   Review and analyze documents on nutrition  interventions in the operational districts/communities
•   Conduct field work in target communities to interview members of family-based farmer cooperative households
•   Conduct Anthropometric measure to determine the nutrition status of children under five in target households

Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to take a total of 30 consultancy days with effect from 3rd July 2015 as stated in the table below.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   A minimum of a Masters level degree in public health, nutrition, food security or related field

The consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

•   At least 10 years experience in the application of participatory methodologies for data collection and in developing nutrition and food security interventions that address gender concerns.
•   In-depth knowledge nutrition and food security issues;
•   Experience in assessment and analysis of diets and nutrition
•   Good understanding of poverty, social and cultural issues;
•   International work experience preferred;
•   Demonstrated high level of professionalism and an ability to work independently and in high pressure situations and under tight deadlines
•   Ability to write and communicate in English;
•   Knowledge and understanding of rural northern Ghana context

Location: Eastern Corridor

How To Apply For The Job

The Consultant should express his/her interest in this call through a motivation letter accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae with three referees samples of recent work to SEND-Ghana by electronic mail to:-

Raymond@sendwestafrica.org and copied to fre.michael@coopscanada.coop

Closing Date: 26 June, 2015

Only selected candidates will be contacted.